The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-08-04
A sword-swallower in a Hospital

The Cincinnati Enquirer tells of a most
remarkable and successful surgical operation
which was performed upon one of the male
patients of the Cincinnati Hospital Sunday
morning last by DIR. f. w Walker, assisted
by Surgeon John A. Murphy and several of
the internes of the hospital corps.
On July Ii young man of medium build,
who registered as Andrew j. Driver, aged
%, and residing at 81 Pierson street for three
months past, entered the hospital He was
almost bent double and walked with great
difficulty, and, in answer to questions. stated
that he was suffering from most agonizing
pains in the stomach.
For several years he has been travelling
with shows about the country as a fakir,
and performing the sword-swallowing feat.
About four years ago, while giving a per
Torrance in one of the smaller towns in the
northern part of this State he was bantered
by number of spectators, who thought the
sword he swallowed was worked by springs,
aud they dared him 70 go through the same
act with an ordinary case knife. In this he
was successful, and a number made up a
purse and wagered him quite sum that he
could not swallow an ordinary teaspoon.
He accepted their challenge, and picked up
triple-plated teaspoon of Rogers manufac-
ture, slowly placed it in his mouth and swat
lowed it. He eater that continued the sword
act, feeling no i'll effects from the spoon
until about six months ago when
during one Of his performances, he dis
tinctly felt the end of the sword blade strike
the spoon, and for several days could feel it
gradually changing its course toward his
stomach. Yet all this while he had expe-
rienced no painful sensation. Some two
weeks later, however, he was attacked with
violent cramps and pains, beginning in his
right side and afterward changing the
course of the suffering to the stomach, in
the immediate neighborhood of the navel
These attacks were only periodical at first,
and finally he concluded to come to Cincin-
natl for treatment. Arriving here he had
a more favorable turn, and remained most
Of the time about home until on thedate mem
toned, when he was again attacked in a
more violent form than at any previous
time. lie then concluded 10 seek medical
aid, and To that end entered the hospital for
treatment. He was closely questioned and
placed under a rigid examination, but, ow-
ing to the excessive hot weather and the
delicacy with which his case would neces-
sarily have to De handled. the surgeons
thought II advisable TO defer the operation
until the weather became more favorable.
He was informed Sunday morning that in
order To extract the spoon from his
stomach a very delicate and vet
severe surgical operation would have
to he performed that would be attended by
great danger. lie bfavely agreed Ia have
The operation performed, and accordingly
during the early morning hours of that day
he was placed unde. the influence Of an
anNethetc and the operation began DR..
Walker s!lillully handled the knife and
opened the stomach a trifle below the navel,
where, toward the right side, imbedded in
the intestneS, was found first the handle of
the spoon, and working the finger along
through the growth the bell part of the
spoon was reached, and the spoon removed
intact from the patient
The inte,tines were placed carefully back
and the wound dressed and sewed up, the
patient during tine operation giving hardly
any indication of pain.
During Sunday, aftor recovering from
the effects Of the anaesthetic administered.
he complained of pain and was quite rest.
less but during yesterday seemed TO be re-
covering nicely; and last night when the
hospital was visited he was resting easily.